Peter Thiel Is Taking Human Growth Hormone In Hopes Of Living To 120

Thiel wants to live for a long time. Alana Kakoyiannis The US tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel is taking human growth hormone pills as part of his quest to live until he is 120 years old. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, the PayPal cofounder and Facebook investor explained how he hoped the technology would dramatically increase his lifespan.

Thiel was asked about his thoughts on "the extension of human life" — something he thinks a lot about. Thiel is famous for his belief that human life could be extended dramatically if only we could figure out the medical science and technology required to achieve that. He said he took the pills on a daily basis and that HGH helped "maintain muscle mass, so it's less likely to get bone injuries and arthritis and stuff like that, as you get older."

At one point the venture capitalist did concede there was a worry that HGH increased his risk of getting cancer. HGH makes things — like cells — grow, after all. But he says: "I'm hopeful that we'll get cancer cured in the next decade."

Thiel, now 47 and with a net worth in excess of £2 billion, also mentioned other lifestyle choices he had made to reach an age riper than most. Thiel said he had invested in a lot of biotech companies, and he revealed he tried to follow a strict paleo diet. He was also in the sugar is the enemy camp; he has limited his intake.

"Paleo won't get you to 120," he added, but he said he thought it would contribute. "We need to technology and innovation to lead longer and healthier lives."